White Elephant is a true 5-star tented safari camp. Tents are lusciously equipped with soft pillows, high-thread count linens, and canopied beds. The bathroom features a clawfoot tub and an outdoor shower and the tent flaps can be opened up, allowing guests to bathe with a spectacular view across the plain to the lake and…

OK, I admit I am baffled. I thought I could win back the hearts and minds of FlyerTalkers by giving them a pointer or two on how to get better treatment at a hotel. Turns out I was wrong. I mean, I clearly state: “Keep in mind, this is based on my experience, working at…

It seems I may have ruffled a few feathers with my first two posts (shocker: service industry people dislike doing jobs without being tipped). While I appreciated all the attention given, I must say I do find it surprising that a bunch of high-flying businessmen have such a rudimentary grasp of the written word and…

London is an international hub for both business and leisure travel. Whether you’re in town to see the insides of boardrooms or the interiors of Buckingham Palace, Starwood has the hotel to suit your needs. Here are our picks for the best in the city.

It seems that my article on tipping in hotels stirred up a bit of a fuss. I have to admit I was fairly surprised about this, as I wasn’t trying to be deliberately provocative. I was trying to give genuine advice as to what is considered acceptable tipping amounts at an upscale hotel in a…

Tipping is something that confuses many people (as the comedy of Larry David frequently proves). At hotels, there are several different people to tip—the bellmen, doormen, room service, house keeping, front desk—and it can be difficult to sort out who’s supposed to get what. First thing’s first. It’s 2013, people. A single dollar is not…

Like all InterContinentals, the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens has efficient service, multiple restaurants, comfortable rooms, and all the other amenities and perks discerning business travelers expect. What sets the Athens InterContinental apart is the stunning views of the Acropolis. While the views aren’t available from most rooms, the rooftop bar and restaurant afford one of the…

This week, The Lobby is making its picks for the three best hotels in Vegas. At number one: Vdara. The Vdara has everything we love about Vegas: giant suites, sweeping views of the Strip, rock star style, and bathrooms that glitter with marble. While that describes about a dozen hotels in Vegas, the Vdara has…

This week, The Lobby is making its picks for the three best hotels in Vegas. At number two: ARIA. The ARIA is exactly what you expect a 5-star Vegas super-hotel to be. It has a world-class spa, thousands of suites, a giant casino adjoining the lobby, rooms that address you by name and allow you…